Japanese PSN selling 100 yen 'credits' for Gomibako

[Darwock]

I guess this is the next logical step for a virtual arcade, but I don't like the implications.

This weeks Japanese update included '100yen Gomibako' - you pay 100 yen, you get 3 shots of the game. I've no idea how that works in practice, whether you download the whole game complete with trophies etc anyway and are simply prevented from playing it unless you buy credits... if this is the case it seems like madness, as the full game wouldn't exactly break the bank anyway.

Any thoughts on this kind of thing?

[BaudAttitude]

There are apparently some trophies exclusive to the Y100 edition.

I'm willing to bet one of them is "Finish the game on one credit".

I think this is less a cheap way to get a feel for a game and more of a way for seriously dedicated types to show off their trash-fu, but that's just a guess.

[Number45]

Any thoughts on this kind of thing?

As long as it remains an option I don't think it's too much to be worried about - it might be a genuine attempt to create an arcade style environment on the PSN.

My main concern would be if this kind of thing replaced free demos. That would suck hard.

[JP]

I'm a little surprised that it's not been tried before to be honest.

I don't have a problem with it and as long as the price and the game being used is suitable then it could be useful. I may not mind it though years of shoveling into arcade machines when I was a kid.

The pricing is difficult though as it's a new concept and this works out at about 20p per game. I think they'd have been better making it 10p a go.

I wonder if they would be able to do slot machines which you can actually win PSN money on? Not sure if gambling would be allowed though.

It's worth noting that with this game, it's not the same as if you were buying it as this one has all the extras unlocked straight away. Some people may just want a quick go at the full and it could be ideal for them I suppose. There is a free demo available too if people prefer to try it that way.

I'm sure the idea will be slated by a lot of people but I think it's too early to know whether it's a good or bad idea.